East Africa In-Depth Tour with 8 Reviews by G Adventures

16 daysDuration

Small Group TourUsually 8-12 participants, maximum 18 travelers

12 peopleMaximum group size

15 - 100 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Challenging

Demands good physical fitness and stamina for more intense or extended activities.

Starts

Nairobi, Kenya

Ends

Kigali, Rwanda

Highlights

Explore the Masai Mara National Reserve.

visit a Samburu village.

take in views of the Great Rift Valley.

admire a family of mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.

trek to see chimpanzees in Uganda.

keep your eyes peeled for the plentiful elephant and hippo populations in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Itinerary

Venture deep into the wilds of Kenya and Rwanda on the 'East Africa In-Depth' trip, a 16-day wildlife tour designed for experienced travelers seeking authentic encounters and physical challenge. Starting in Nairobi and ending in Kigali, this journey takes you from the edge of Lake Nakuru National Park to the heart of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Kibale’s lush forests. Encounter Africa’s iconic wildlife on multiple safari drives, trek with gorillas and chimpanzees, and immerse yourself in the rhythms of local communities through meaningful village visits. The trip’s unique selling point is its rare combination of intensive wildlife experiences and cultural immersion, making it a dream tour package for adventurers who want more than just a traditional safari. Every day promises new discoveries and unforgettable moments under the African sky.

day 1 - Nairobi

Arrive at any time.
There are no planned activities until an evening welcome meeting.

Accomodation:Hotel Boulevard (or similar)

Included Activity:Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group Duration : 1.0 hr

Optional Activities:Bomas of Kenya Tour This tour gives you a glimpse into the life of 42 different tribes of the country that make up Kenya's rich culture. Get a better understanding of village life by visiting homesteads and enjoy a display and sounds of folk dances performed. Entrance fee and hotel pick-up included., The Carnivore Restaurant Feast on a range of familiar and exotic meats roasted over an open flame barbecue pit. Ever wanted to try ostrich or crocodile? Here's your chance to do so (at a world-renowned restaurant, at that). Price includes the price of a meal (without a beverage) and hotel pick-up., National Museum Take a stroll through this museum to get a better understanding of Kenya's rich heritage through a range of cultural and natural-history exhibits. Learn more about the region's bird population at the Birds of East Africa exhibit, a huge gallery of at least 900 stuffed specimens. Get a refreshing take on Kenyan history counterpoint to colonial historiographies at the Historia Ya Kenya display. Entrance fee and hotel pick-up included. , Karen Blixen Museum Converted from the former home of pioneer coffee farmer and acclaimed writer Karen Blixen, this museum provides visitors insight into life of a Danish settler in pre-Independence Kenya. Take a walk through the home, and magnificent gardens that provide a stunning view of the Ngong hills. Hotel pick-up and entrance fee included.

day 2 - Nairobi/Samburu National Reserve

Travel to Samburu National Reserve in time for an afternoon wildlife safari drive. Visit a Samburu village en route.
Depart Nairobi and drive north through the farmlands of the Kikuyu people, passing Mt Kenya, Africa's second highest mountain (5199m/17,060ft).

Just outside the national reserve, visit a local Samburu village. Similar in appearance to the Masai but less known, the Samburu are a proud warrior tribe. Watch traditional Samburu dancing, and learn about Samburu tribal life and customs. The walk within the village is run by Samburu tribesmen for the benefit of the community.

Continue to Samburu National Reserve, a wildlife haven to many species rarely found elsewhere.

Enjoy an afternoon wildlife safari drive in search of large elephant and big cat populations living within this wild part of Kenya.

Meal:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accomodation:Samburu Campsite (or similar)

Transport:Safari Vehicle Duration : 7.0 hr - 8.0 hr Distance : 365 km

Included Activities:Samburu Village Visit, Samburu National Reserve Wildlife Safari Drive

day 3 - Samburu National Reserve

Spend a full Day on safari in search of Samburu's special five.
A full day wildlife safari drive to spot a group of animals only seen north of the equator, such as the beisa oryx, Somali ostrich, Grevy's zebra, the majestic reticulated giraffe, and the long-necked gerenuk, a graceful antelope that stands upright on its hind legs to feed on tall bushes.

Meal:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accomodation:Samburu Campsite (or similar)

Included Activity:Samburu National Reserve Wildlife Safari Drive

day 4 - Samburu National Reserve/Lake Nakuru National Park

Descend into the Great Rift Valley enjoying stunning views of the escarpment on the way.
Nakuru, meaning “dusty place” in the Maasai language, is a cheerful and vibrant agricultural town with a variety of colourful local markets.

Camp outside the town at the edge of Lake Nakuru National Park, the area’s principal highlight and best natural attraction. Time and weather permitting, there may be an opportunity to visit a local tea farm and see how the tea is grown, picked and produced.

Meal:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accomodation:Nderit Campsite (or similar)

Transport:Safari Vehicle Duration : 7.0 hr - 8.0 hr Distance : 348 km

day 5 - Lake Nakuru National Park

Embark on a safari within Lake Nakuru National Park, in search of buffalo, impala, and the elusive leopard.

Meal:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accomodation:Nderit Campsite (or similar)

Included Activity:Lake Nakuru Wildlife Safari Drive

day 6 - Lake Nakuru National Park/Masai Mara

Travel to the Masai Mara National Reserve. Search for the "big five" on an afternoon wildlife safari drive.
Depart for the world-famous Masai Mara National Reserve. With its vast open plains and distinctive flat-topped acacia trees, no visit to Kenya would be complete without a visit to this reserve.

Arrive in the afternoon and get settled at the permanent tented camp, the base for exploring the Mara.

Head into the reserve for an afternoon wildlife safari drive.

Meal:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accomodation:Kenia Safari Tented Camp (or similar)

Transport:Safari Vehicle Duration : 7.0 hr - 8.0 hr Distance : 368 km

Included Activity:Maasai Mara Wildlife Safari Drive

day 7 - Masai Mara

Enjoy a Day on safari. Opt to take to the skies on a balloon safari.
Rise early for a wildlife safari drive during the best time to spot animals and criss-cross the rolling hills of the African savannah. With a full day to explore the area, we can cover a lot of ground. If time allows, visit the Mara River area.

Opt to go for a balloon safari for a new perspective over the beautiful landscape.

Meal:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accomodation:Kenia Safari Tented Camp (or similar)

Included Activity:Maasai Mara Wildlife Safari Drive

Optional Activities:Maasai Mara Balloon Safari

day 8 - Masai Mara/Nairobi

Enjoy a final wildlife safari drive before the journey back to Nairobi.
Enjoy one last opportunity to spot the "big five".

Visit the G for Good supported Amani ya Juu for lunch.

In Nairobi there's some time to buy local handicrafts or check out a bit of the city.

Meal:Breakfast and Lunch

Accomodation:Hotel Boulevard (or similar)

Transport:Safari Vehicle Duration : 5.5 hr - 6.5 hr Distance : 245 km

Included Activities:Maasai Mara Wildlife Safari Drive, Amani Ya Juu Lunch

Optional Activities:The Carnivore Restaurant Feast on a range of familiar and exotic meats roasted over an open flame barbecue pit. Ever wanted to try ostrich or crocodile? Here's your chance to do so (at a world-renowned restaurant, at that). Price includes the price of a meal (without a beverage) and hotel pick-up.

day 9 - Nairobi/Kampala

Travel from one bustling East African capital city to another. Relax in Kampala and await the second part of this epic adventure.

Meal:Breakfast

Accomodation:Canary Hotel (or similar)

Transport:Private Vehicle Duration : 1.5 hr - 2.0 hr Distance : 50 km, Plane Duration : 1.5 hr

day 10 - Kampala/Fort Portal

Take the scenic route to Fort Portal at the edge of Kibale National Park. Spend the night on a guest farm listening to the sounds of monkeys and birds.

Meal:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accomodation:Kluges Guest Farm (or similar)

Transport:Private Vehicle Duration : 4.0 hr - 6.0 hr Distance : 297 km

day 11 - Kibale National Park

Explore the evergreen rainforest and trek to spot chimps in the morning or afternoon. Enjoy a traditional lunch in the Bigodi Community.
Opt to venture deep into the wetlands to spot more wildlife on a guided walk through the Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary.

Meal:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accomodation:Kluges Guest Farm (or similar)

Included Activities:Chimpanzee Trek Duration : 1.0 hr - 2.0 hr, Bigodi Community Lunch Duration : 1.0 hr - 1.5 hr

Optional Activities:Bigodi Swamp Walk

day 12 - Kibale NP/Queen Elizabeth NP

Continue on to Queen Elizabeth NP, stopping at the equator. Head out on a wildlife safari drive in the afternoon. Keep your eyes peeled for warthogs, elephants, buffalo, five different species of primates, and hippos.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is characterized by open savannah, large areas of swamp around Lake George, the extensive Maramagambo Forest in the southeast, and the forested Kyambura Gorge along the border with Kyambura Game Reserve.

Meal:Breakfast and Dinner

Accomodation:Simba Safari Camp (or similar)

Transport:Private Vehicle Duration : 3.0 hr Distance : 115 km

Included Activity:Queen Elizabeth National Park Wildlife Safari Drive

day 13 - Queen Elizabeth National Park

Take an early morning wildlife safari drive and enjoy lunch inside the park. Opt for an evening cruise along the Kazinga Channel.
Enjoy a wildlife safari drive with possible sightings of buffaloes, waterbucks, warthogs, lions, leopards, hyenas, giant forest hogs, and elephants.

Meal:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accomodation:Simba Safari Camp (or similar)

Included Activity:Queen Elizabeth National Park Wildlife Safari Drive

Optional Activities:Kazinga Channel Cruise Take a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, a waterway inside Queen Elizabeth National Park that connects Lake George and Lake Edward. Look out for a variety of wildlife who are drawn to the channel shores. Spot birds, crocodiles, hippos, and reptiles.

day 14 - Queen Elizabeth NP/Bwindi Impenetrable NP

Enjoy the scenic drive south, with views of forests, volcanoes and lakes. Spend the night on the edge of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Meal:Breakfast

Accomodation:Rushaga Gorilla Camp (or similar)

Transport:Private Vehicle Duration : 5.0 hr - 6.0 hr Distance : 200 km

day 15 - Gorilla Trekking

Rise early for the tour's main highlight – gorilla trekking!
Head into Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to meet the park ranger/guide for orientation. Embark on the trek, which can vary in length and difficulty, depending on the location of the gorilla family that's being visited. Spend 1 hr (max) observing these beautiful and endangered creatures, a truly privileged experience. Trek back and return to town. Enjoy free time in the afternoon.

Meal:Breakfast

Accomodation:Rushaga Gorilla Camp (or similar)

Included Activity:Mountain Gorilla Trek Duration : 1.0 hr - 6.0 hr

Optional Activities:Porter Hire Hire a local porter to carry your day pack throughout the trek, giving you more ease on your journey.

day 16 - Bwindi/Kigali

Cross the border into Rwanda, then head to the capital city, Kigali. Visit the genocide museum to learn more about the dark history of this fascinating country. Enjoy lunch at the G Adventures supported Nyamirambo Women's Centre.

Meal:Breakfast and Lunch

Transport:Private Vehicle Duration : 4.5 hr - 5.5 hr Distance : 175 km

Included Activities:Border Crossing (Uganda - Rwanda) Duration : 1.0 hr - 1.5 hr, Kigali Genocide Memorial Visit Duration : 2.0 hr, Nyamirambo Women's Centre, Local Lunch, Departure Day

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What's Included

Accommodation

Standard hotel (3 nts), full-service camping (4 nts), simple furnished tents/rooms (8 nts).

Meals

15 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 10 dinners
Note: Allow USD190-250 for meals not included.

Transport

7-seat 4x4 safari van, plane, private van, walking.All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

Guide

CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, certified driver/guide, camp crew, experienced gorilla trackers, local guides.

Included activities

Your G for Good Moment: Amani Ya Juu Lunch, NairobiYour G for Good Moment: Nyamirambo Women's Centre, Local Lunch, KigaliYour Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and GroupSamburu village visit and wildlife safari drivesSafari in Lake Nakuru National Park and Masai Mara National ReserveGuest farm stay near Kibale National ParkChimpanzee trekBigodi Community lunchQueen Elizabeth National Park wildlife safari drivesGuided gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National ParkVisit to Kigali Genocide MuseumAll national park fees and trekking permitsInternal flight

What's Excluded

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